Collignon to be Inducted into SD Sports Hall of Fame

A rodeo trick rider, several coaches and many athletes will be part of a record 23 inductees into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame for this year. They will be honored at an induction banquet Sunday, September 24th, in Sioux Falls.

This year’s class includes 15 inductees, along with 8 people going in under the “Legends” category. Those are people who are deceased that may have been overlooked in the past when only 3 inductees per year were honored.

The Hall now will have 356 members.

Among the inductees will be former Madison High School Gymnastics coach Linda Collignon. Collignon built the Bulldogs gymnastics dynasty. She was the head coach for the first seven of Madison’s national record 16 consecutive Class A State titles. 

Also included this year is longtime South Dakota sports broadcaster Mark Ovenden, who has been broadcasting radio and TV in Sioux Falls for 45 years. His daily show, Calling All Sports, can be heard weekdays on AM 1390 at 6pm.

Here is the list of inductees and a brief description of their career.

Scott Bosanko-Aberdeen: Northern State basketball star drafted in the NBA

Linda Collignon-Established the dominant Madison High School gymnastics program

Marlyn Goldhammer- Wagner: Long time director of the SDHSAA

Chuck Iverson-Vermillion: All time great basketball player at University of South Dakota

Clarence Kooistra-Salem: 221 football wins at Garretson in a 31 year coaching career

Don Larson-Madison: record setting track coach at North Dakota State University

Jerry Miller-White Lake: Long time coach and among the foremost states sports historians

Dave Mydland-Sioux Falls: Responsible for South Dakota competing in Senior Baseball

Terry Nielsen-Sioux Falls: 1000’s of hours for Tennis Association, Howard Wood track, more.

Mark Ovenden: Over 45 years as radio and television broadcaster in Sioux Falls

Jim Schlekeway-Britton: Outstanding basketball player and coach at many levels

Bryan Schwartz-Miller: All around athlete who spent several years in the NFL

Brad Seely-Baltic: Long time assistant coach in the NFL

Dawn Seiler-McLaughlin: All time winningest girls basketball coach in state history

Jeff Turning Heart-Cheyenne-Eagle Butte: One of the best distance runners ever

They are joined by the folks going in under the “Legends” category.

Don Baker-Scotland: Coached multiple sports at the college level

Gene Breemes-Phillip: Established Rapid City Stevens as a track and cross country power

Harvey Hammrich-Ipswich: 41 years as a coach of multiple sports and athletic director

Lien Marso-Harrold: Outstanding athlete in high school and at South Dakota State

Dean Minder-Wilmont: Sportswriter, baseball coach and umpire in Mitchell

Mattie Goff Newcombe-White Owl: World Champion female trick rider in the 1920’s

Mike Roach-Rapid City Cathedral: 42 year football coach at multiple levels

Joe Thorne-Beresford: SDSU athlete who traded pro career for military service